Alejandro Rego

Key strength: Work rate

Box-to-box midfielder

Athletic Bilbao find themselves in the thick of the European chase, sitting 5th in La Liga, yet their form tells a worrying tale—LDLLW, just one win from their last five outings. In this turbulent campaign, 23-year-old Alejandro Rego has quietly emerged as a beacon of consistency for Ernesto Valverde's side. The Spanish box-to-box midfielder has made 31 appearances, accumulating 1,522 minutes of action—a remarkable shift from peripheral squad player to trusted rotation option. While his return of one goal and zero assists appears modest, Rego's true value lies in his tireless work rate and tactical discipline. His 58-rated passing provides the crucial bridge between defense and attack, freeing creative forces like Oihan Sancet and Nico Williams to flourish ahead of him. Valued at €5 million, Rego embodies the Athletic prototype: homegrown, hungry, and unflinchingly committed. In a crowded midfield featuring Jauregizar, Prados, and Turrientes, the number 30 has carved his niche through persistence. As Los Leones fight to rediscover their winning rhythm, this unsung workhorse may prove essential to their European aspirations.